Habitat to mark its 150th completed house

TD Bank employees volunteer in June at the Habitat for Humanity of Henderson County homes under construction at Shuey Knolls
subdivision. Habitat is dedicating seven homes in the subdivision today.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/STAFF FILE

By Amy B. McCrawTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 8:50 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 8:50 a.m.

Henderson County’s Habitat for Humanity organization will reach a milestone today when it dedicates seven new homes recently built for families in need of adequate housing.

The homes completed in the Shuey Knolls community off Highway 64 East bring the total number of Habitat homes built in Henderson County to 150.

The dedication is also the final step in completing the Shuey Knolls development in Edneyville.

“We’re pretty pumped about it,” Habitat Executive Director Ron Laughter said. Laughter credited Habitat’s aggressive board of directors and its committed team of volunteers with giving the organization the ability to build so many homes in a county this size.

“If you look at the number of homes built per year per population, we are probably in the top 10 percent of Habitats across the country,” he said.

Habitat averages about 300 volunteers who work in crews alongside the people who need help making their dreams of home ownership come true. Together they construct affordable and well-built homes.

The volunteers are committed to making sure as many homes as possible are built each year for people in need.

“They give lots and lots of time,” Laughter said. “Part of it is Henderson County is a destination for retirees.

We have many retirees who are looking for ways to spend their free time.”

Habitat dedicated its first home in Henderson County in December 1989. By the time the ’90s ended, Habitat had built 37 homes in the county. Today, the organization builds 12 homes each year. The Shuey Knolls community includes 67 homes built by Habitat.

Habitat accepts applications from families. Many people who come to Habitat for help live in inadequate housing or lack the financing they need to buy or build a home, said Nada Shook, the senior business manager at Henderson County’s Habitat for Humanity.

“These are people who wouldn’t have a home otherwise,” she said. By helping people build a home they can call their own, Habitat gives families more than just a place to live, Shook said.

“If I had to use one word, it would be security,” she said.

Shook said the security of having a permanent home seems to benefit the children in a family moving into a Habitat home most of all. She said she often hears parents comment on how their children do better in school once they move into a Habitat home.

“It makes kids feel secure,” she said. “They get settled in a home, and their grades improve. They make more friends.”

Habitat also tries to help families become part of the community where their home is built by offering classes in budgeting and in dealing with disputes between neighbors.

The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. today in the development’s community center. It will include housewarming gifts from churches and a local women’s group for the families moving into the new homes. Ministers will also pray with each family at their new home.

Now that the Shuey Knolls community is complete, Habitat is gearing up for work on its next community, known as Dodd Meadows in East Flat Rock. Infrastructure needs including roads and water and sewer service are being put in place before construction begins on homes in the community.

Habitat plans to build 80 homes in Dodd Meadows in phases during the next eight to 10 years, Shook said.

Dodd Meadows was named in honor of Steven Dodd, who served as president of Henderson County’s Habitat for Humanity from 2003 to 2008.

The development will include three- and four-bedroom homes and 10 two-bedroom duplexes designed for senior and disabled residents. Dodd Meadows will also include park areas, sidewalks, a clubhouse, walking trails and ponds. Street names in the development will honor former volunteers and donors to the local Habitat organization.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofi t, Christian housing organization. Its mission is to build quality homes, create strong communities, and change lives by partnering with volunteers, professional staff and eligible families living in substandard housing.

For more information about Henderson County’s Habitat for Humanity, call 694-0340 or visit www.habitat-hvl.org.

<p>Henderson County's Habitat for Humanity organization will reach a milestone today when it dedicates seven new homes recently built for families in need of adequate housing.</p><p>The homes completed in the Shuey Knolls community off Highway 64 East bring the total number of Habitat homes built in Henderson County to 150.</p><p>The dedication is also the final step in completing the Shuey Knolls development in Edneyville.</p><p>“We're pretty pumped about it,” Habitat Executive Director Ron Laughter said. Laughter credited Habitat's aggressive board of directors and its committed team of volunteers with giving the organization the ability to build so many homes in a county this size.</p><p>“If you look at the number of homes built per year per population, we are probably in the top 10 percent of Habitats across the country,” he said.</p><p>Habitat averages about 300 volunteers who work in crews alongside the people who need help making their dreams of home ownership come true. Together they construct affordable and well-built homes.</p><p>The volunteers are committed to making sure as many homes as possible are built each year for people in need.</p><p>“They give lots and lots of time,” Laughter said. “Part of it is Henderson County is a destination for retirees.</p><p>We have many retirees who are looking for ways to spend their free time.”</p><p>Habitat dedicated its first home in Henderson County in December 1989. By the time the '90s ended, Habitat had built 37 homes in the county. Today, the organization builds 12 homes each year. The Shuey Knolls community includes 67 homes built by Habitat.</p><p>Habitat accepts applications from families. Many people who come to Habitat for help live in inadequate housing or lack the financing they need to buy or build a home, said Nada Shook, the senior business manager at Henderson County's Habitat for Humanity.</p><p>“These are people who wouldn't have a home otherwise,” she said. By helping people build a home they can call their own, Habitat gives families more than just a place to live, Shook said.</p><p>“If I had to use one word, it would be security,” she said.</p><p>Shook said the security of having a permanent home seems to benefit the children in a family moving into a Habitat home most of all. She said she often hears parents comment on how their children do better in school once they move into a Habitat home.</p><p>“It makes kids feel secure,” she said. “They get settled in a home, and their grades improve. They make more friends.”</p><p>Habitat also tries to help families become part of the community where their home is built by offering classes in budgeting and in dealing with disputes between neighbors.</p><p>The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. today in the development's community center. It will include housewarming gifts from churches and a local women's group for the families moving into the new homes. Ministers will also pray with each family at their new home.</p><p>Now that the Shuey Knolls community is complete, Habitat is gearing up for work on its next community, known as Dodd Meadows in East Flat Rock. Infrastructure needs including roads and water and sewer service are being put in place before construction begins on homes in the community.</p><p>Habitat plans to build 80 homes in Dodd Meadows in phases during the next eight to 10 years, Shook said.</p><p>Dodd Meadows was named in honor of Steven Dodd, who served as president of Henderson County's Habitat for Humanity from 2003 to 2008.</p><p>The development will include three- and four-bedroom homes and 10 two-bedroom duplexes designed for senior and disabled residents. Dodd Meadows will also include park areas, sidewalks, a clubhouse, walking trails and ponds. Street names in the development will honor former volunteers and donors to the local Habitat organization.</p><p>Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofi t, Christian housing organization. Its mission is to build quality homes, create strong communities, and change lives by partnering with volunteers, professional staff and eligible families living in substandard housing.</p><p>For more information about Henderson County's Habitat for Humanity, call 694-0340 or visit www.habitat-hvl.org.</p>